From climate-resilient rice and next-generation crop gene editing to biological crop protection, fertilizer markets, digital agriculture and sustainable biomanufacturing, today’s edition highlights developments shaping the global agriculture ecosystem.
Research institutions are advancing solutions for rising temperatures, while startups and companies are investing in gene editing, biological inputs and digital farmer services.
Fertilizer markets also remain closely linked to global trade dynamics, with the US exploring renewed potash supplies from Belarus.
In India, KRIBHCO reported strong financial and production performance, while new investments in fisheries infrastructure and bio-based materials reflect continued expansion across agricultural value chains.
The edition also covers emerging consumer trends through new fasting flour products ahead of Navratri.
Together, these developments underline the growing convergence of agriculture, technology, climate resilience, finance and sustainable industry.
Let’s start…
IRRI and Nottingham Partner to Develop Heat-Resilient Rice Varieties
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the University of Nottingham have launched a research partnership to develop rice varieties that can maintain productivity under rising temperatures. Supported by UKRI-BBSRC, the Temp-Resist Rice project will identify natural traits linked to heat tolerance using traditional rice varieties and wild relatives.
Researchers will focus particularly on heat stress during flowering, when high temperatures can reduce pollen fertility and grain formation. The project combines IRRI’s expertise in rice breeding, genetic resources and field evaluation with Nottingham’s capabilities in plant biology and controlled-environment research.
Promising rice materials will be studied under simulated climate conditions and subsequently evaluated through field-testing networks across Asia. Scientists will use genetic and DNA-based tools to identify traits that can be incorporated into future breeding programs.
The research aims to accelerate the development of climate-resilient rice varieties capable of sustaining yields as temperatures rise and climate pressures intensify.
Spearhead Bio Raises $1.62M to Advance TAHITI Crop Gene-Editing Platform
St. Louis-based agricultural biotechnology startup Spearhead Bio has raised $1.62 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round to advance its TAHITI gene-editing platform. The technology combines CRISPR enzymes with transposase machinery to enable precise insertion of large DNA sequences into plant genomes.
Unlike conventional CRISPR applications that are more effective at removing or disrupting genes, TAHITI is designed to insert, replace and stack genetic traits at targeted locations. The platform uses separate components for the editing machinery and DNA cargo, allowing the editing system to be removed while leaving the intended genetic change behind.
Spearhead Bio has demonstrated the technology in Arabidopsis and is now testing it in soybean and corn with industry partners. The company says the platform could support applications ranging from gene replacement to multi-trait development across different crops.
The funding, led by BioGenerator Ventures and Danforth Technology Company, will support further technical development and milestones over the next 18–24 months.
Cogny Secures Brazil’s First Industrial GMO Authorization for Biocontrol Inputs
Brazil’s Cogny Ecosystem has secured the country’s first authorization for the industrial use of genetically modified microorganisms to produce microbiological agricultural inputs. Through its Bioma and Orygen Research companies, Cogny received Biosafety Quality Certificate CQB No. 714/26 from Brazil’s CTNBio, enabling Bioma to scale production under controlled industrial conditions.
The platform uses modified microorganisms as production systems for specific molecules, with the final products containing purified metabolites or molecules rather than the microorganisms themselves.
The authorization covers several microorganisms, including a modified strain designed to produce isoprenoids and phytohormones in closed bioreactors under NB-1 containment conditions. Cogny plans to use the technology to develop agricultural products including purified molecules, peptides, hormones and compounds for pest and disease control.
The company expects its first hormonal product line produced through the platform to reach the Brazilian market in 2027. The development marks a step toward combining genetic engineering and industrial fermentation to produce a new generation of biological agricultural inputs.
KRIBHCO Reports ₹824.68 Crore Pre-Tax Profit and Declares 20% Dividend
Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) reported a pre-tax profit of ₹824.68 crore for FY 2025-26 and declared a 20% dividend on the equity capital of its member cooperative societies. The cooperative recorded urea production of 21.34 lakh tonnes and ammonia production of 12.39 lakh tonnes, achieving capacity utilisation of 97.26% and 99.36%, respectively.
KRIBHCO sold 45.37 lakh tonnes of fertilizers during the year, with its portfolio spanning urea, DAP, MAP, MOP, complex fertilizers, biofertilizers, seeds, SSP, zinc sulphate and biostimulants. Its wholly owned subsidiary KRIBHCO Fertilizers Limited produced 11.02 lakh tonnes of urea and 6.68 lakh tonnes of ammonia, with capacity utilisation exceeding 127% and 133%, respectively.
KRIBHCO Agri Business Limited recorded a turnover of ₹1,919.35 crore, including ₹1,436.81 crore from domestic business and ₹482.54 crore from exports. The cooperative is also expanding into green energy, with plants under construction in Hazira, Gujarat, and Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, alongside initiatives supporting rural development, seed activities and cooperative exports.
Mufin Green Finance Raises $6 Million Through International Bond Listing on India INX
Mufin Green Finance Limited has raised $6 million through its first international bond listing on the Global Securities Market of India International Exchange (India INX). The USD-denominated senior non-convertible bonds comprise up to 600 rated and listed notes and were issued as a standalone offering on September 11, 2026.
The bonds carry a coupon of 4.50% plus the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) and are scheduled to mature on September 11, 2029. The securities were admitted for trading on India INX from September 22 following final listing approval from the exchange.
The listing provides Mufin Green Finance with access to international debt capital markets through the IFSC ecosystem at GIFT City. It also gives the company an avenue to broaden its investor base and diversify its debt-funding sources.
The transaction further expands Mufin Green Finance’s presence in the international debt market through USD-denominated securities listed in India’s financial services centre.
ASMS and Ampivo Partner to Expand Digital Agriculture Services Across Rural India
Avio Smart Market Stack Limited (ASMS) and Ampivo Smart Technologies are expanding their collaboration to introduce Ampivo’s digital agriculture platform, Agri Kisan Setu, across identified villages in ASMS’ rural network. Available in seven languages, the platform is already being used in farmer training and pilot programmes to provide agricultural information and digital services.
Agri Kisan Setu brings together farm management support, market price discovery, buyer-seller connectivity, agricultural tutorials, government-scheme information and specialised services such as drone solutions.
The platform is also being developed to support carbon credits and digital Measurement, Reporting and Verification (dMRV), along with tools to help farmers identify relevant government schemes and entitlements.
Ampivo is working with FPOs, NGOs and institutions to expand its reach across different regions, crops and farmer requirements. The ASMS collaboration will initially focus on onboarding farmers across selected network villages and providing access to the platform’s existing services.
The companies will also explore deeper integration into digital advisory, service delivery and eligible sustainability and carbon-credit programmes.
US Seeks New Potash Trade Deal with Belarus
The United States is seeking to establish a new potash trade deal with Belarus that could provide US buyers with pricing below current Canadian supplies. The move comes amid heightened US-Canada trade tensions and efforts to diversify fertilizer supply sources.
Canada currently accounts for nearly 90% of US potash imports, supplying around 11.2 million tonnes in 2025. Belarusian potash has been absent from the US market since February 2022 following sanctions, despite previously supplying an average of 635,000 tonnes annually during 2017–21.
The potential agreement could reduce US dependence on Canadian potash, although Belarus is not expected to fully replace Canadian volumes. The first Belarusian fertilizer shipment to the US in four years, around 30,000 tonnes of MOP, is expected to reach New Orleans in October 2026.
The development follows the lifting of US sanctions on Belarusian potash in December 2025.
Two Brothers India Farms Launches Small-Batch Fasting Atta Range Ahead of Navratri
Two Brothers India Farms has launched a new range of fasting flours comprising Kuttu Atta, Singhara Atta and Unsprouted Rajgira Atta ahead of the Navratri season. Each flour is made from a single ingredient and ground in small batches, with a focus on ingredient transparency, minimal processing and traceability.
Kuttu Atta is made from buckwheat, while Singhara Atta uses water chestnut and Unsprouted Rajgira Atta is produced from native-variety amaranth. The company positions the products as traditional ingredients adapted for modern packaged-food consumption while retaining their culinary heritage.
The flours can be used in traditional fasting preparations including puris, parathas, halwa, laddoos, thalipeeth, porridge and kheer. The launch expands the company’s portfolio of clean-label and minimally processed pantry staples, including atta, ghee, cold-pressed oils, native grains and jaggery.
The products are available in 500-gram packs through the company’s website, with prices ranging from ₹225 to ₹365.
NABARD Approves ₹195 Crore Loan to Boost Fisheries Infrastructure in Bihar’s Siwan
NABARD has approved a ₹195 crore loan to the Bihar government to strengthen fisheries infrastructure in Siwan district under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). The project aims to increase fish production while improving storage, processing, transportation and market access for fish farmers.
The funding will support the development of fish seed production centres, hatcheries, collection centres, cold storage and cold-chain facilities. Modern infrastructure for fish processing, packaging and marketing will also be developed to help farmers preserve their produce and access markets more efficiently.
The initiative is expected to benefit small and marginal fish farmers, cooperatives, self-help groups, women’s groups and rural youth. It will also promote improved practices related to fish seed, feed, water management and disease prevention to support productivity and farm incomes.
The expansion of fisheries is expected to create additional opportunities across feed, transport, processing, packaging and storage, strengthening the wider rural fisheries value chain in Siwan.
Government Approves ₹75 Crore Grant for BCML’s PLA and Co-Polymer Project
The Indian government has approved a ₹75 crore grant to Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 framework to support the development of polylactic acid (PLA) and co-polymers. The funding from BIRAC under the Department of Biotechnology will support a 100 TPA pilot-scale R&D facility at BCML’s integrated manufacturing complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
The facility will use renewable sugar-based feedstock to develop specialised PLA grades and advanced co-polymers for high-value applications. The project aims to generate process know-how, techno-economic data and customer validation while supporting technology indigenisation and future commercial-scale production.
The initiative also seeks to create a new value chain linking agricultural resources such as sugarcane with bio-based materials and bioplastics. Under the BioE3 framework, the project is expected to strengthen collaboration among industry, academia and research institutions while supporting skilled employment.
The development marks BCML’s expansion beyond traditional sugar and ethanol value chains into sustainable bio-based manufacturing and advanced biomaterials.